Tech-ing Wisely in K-2 Classrooms by Jeanell

I found this Technology Article from Education World very interesting. They sent some of their "Tech Team" to answer this question, "Are computers simply entertaining babysitters in early childhood settings?" The members all disagreed with that question. They felt as if computers were "citing real value in appropriate use" in the K-2 grades.

Something that I found interesting was that software that they suggest all of them need to be purchased. With all the new Web 2.0 tools, that are free, I would have thought that at least one of them would have been suggested. Here is what the article gives under Software Suggestions.

"With hundreds of software titles designed for early childhood, which have been used with success by teachers and techies? The following programs were recommended by Tech Team members as some of the best for educational value and ease-of-use in early childhood:
Kid Pix and Kid Pix Deluxe -- for simple presentations
Kidspiration -- for graphic organizing
Scott Foresman's Social Studies templates for Kidspiration
Golly Gee Blocks -- for 3D reasoning and perception Word processing programs -- for basic literacy skills
Type to Learn, Jr.

One expert, Pam Livingston, suggests that "emerging reading skills can be reinforced with computers" Now it seems only obvious that the teacher could write a blog every day about skills taught or about daily happenings that could assist in reinforcing emerging reading skills. I have also read about Interactive Storybooks, like the ones offered for free on Starfall or on Scholastic.


Another expert, Beth Gregor, "emphasizes both journal writing on the computer and learning the keyboard, particularly capital and lower case letters." She suggests using Kid Pix Deluxe.

I immediately thought of the link that Marie told us about, Class Blogmeister, in her July 17th blog would be just as effective as this purchased software. Then teaching the keyboard can go be used to go along with teaching the letters. Almost every K-2 classroom you will find an alphabet on the wall and at least one computer station. What would be the problem also posting a keyboarding poster. As you go over the letters of the alphabet you could highlight them on the keyboarding poster. This way the kids are aware of the letters and their position on the keyboards. I have used Type to Learn and kids do love it.

Finally the expert that I'm the most happy with is Elizabeth Sky-McIlvain. She says, "K-2 students can and should use technology to build information literacy and technology skills for the years ahead. She identified those "tools, skills, concepts of information use, presentation and organization, and the intellectual capability to be effective technology users throughout changes in technology and culture as 21st Century Information Fluencies."

Yippy!! Finally someone is thinking about the future of these kids and the skills they will need to be successful not just literate. Now if we can get them to starting thinking Web 2.0 and the FREE tools that go along with them instead of always purchased software we might be able to see this to our administration easier because it won't cost them a lot up front. We can hit them up for new computers, Avery Key's (links computer to TV) and projectors later. ;-)


Issue: Integration of technology into K-2 classrooms, Software versus Web 2.0 tools.

J

What the Presidential Candidates Should be Promising!!

Here is a story that that proves that the government knows that Web 2.0 is important, even if they don't have a clue what it is.

"Today's campaign managers know how to use technology to get their candidates elected. For example, no candidate's campaign is complete without a MySpace page, YouTube channel and a Web site that accepts donations........Technologically savvy campaigns are one thing, but we also need candidates who themselves have a basic understanding of how this stuff works. We need to elect the first tech president."

Imagine that, a president that understands the importance of technology even way down in the education system. This is when I think we will start to see changes happening. The article suggests that we should be asking about our presidential candidates views on the following:

1. Declare the Internet a public good ("Treating it like electricity or water and enabling low-cost universal access")
2. Commit to providing affordable high-speed wireless Internet access nationwide ("make sure the Net reaches every segment of the population")
3. Declare a Net neutrality standard ("This would prevent ISPs from discriminating among content based on origin, application or type.")
4. Make "Every Child Connected" our goal (major corporations are able to increase the productivity of their workers by equipping them with PCs, cell phones and Internet connections, we owe it to our children ")
5. Commit to building a connected democracy ("Local and national government proceedings should be broadcast on the Internet so anyone can hear them anytime.")
6. Create a National Tech Corps ("This group would respond to emergencies by reestablishing communications, networks and databases, and providing tech support for relief and recovery efforts.")

We need to educate our leaders about the 21 Century so they can do their jobs and work for us. Thank goodness the candidates have campaign managers that know what to do as far as making the candidates look good. Did you know that you can go online and post a video question to ask during the CNN/YouTube Debates next week, July 23rd to be exact. I hope that the candidates answer some of the 6 questions above. I will we watching or at least tuning in to find out the questions asked and the answers that were given. I'm also interested in seeing which candidates participate.

Issue: Government involvement in change

Partnership for 21st Century Skills

http://www.21stcenturyskills.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=332&Itemid=64

Boy am I jealous of teachers in South Dakota. The state of South Dakota has a joined into a joint partnership with Partnership for 21st Century Skills, an "advocacy organization focused on infusing 21st century skills into education."

"As part of the 2010 Education Initiative, South Dakota is committed to making sure that students leave our schools with the skills they need to be effective citizens, workers and leaders in today's global economy. Schools across South Dakota have already begun to implement strategies that address these skills, and participation in this national initiative will only make these efforts stronger,"

Finally, a whole state that is taking the leap and thinking about their student's futures. They are joined by 4 other states: Massachusetts, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wisconsin as part of this Leadership Initiative. My question is how do we get Maryland and Delaware on this list? I looked up Partnership for 21st Century Skills Framework and Resources. Here they have a graphic that shows their framework. This is definitely different than what I understand to be Maryland's Framework.

In my county there is no lump for Core subjects. It is made very clear that certain subjects are much more important than others. A lot of this has to do with state testing and what our county needs the most work with to improve. If we listed the subjects from most important to least they would rank like this:
Reading/English/Language Arts
Math
Science
Social Studies
My school is also big into the Character Counts program. This program promotes the 6 pillars of character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. These are taught and modeled throughout the year on a daily basis. It isn't technically part of our framework but it is there, in every part of our teaching. These are kind of like the Life Skills that are part of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills framework. However, we are definitely lacking in the Learning and Thinking Skills and the 21st Century Content areas. The ICT Literacy is not being taught at all in my school. Basic computer, typing and word processing skills are all we have in our elementary school. I think without these areas our students wouldn't understand the importance of all these skills.

Each of the states frameworks is listed under State Initiatives. West Virginia's motto on their Framework page states "Learning for all...Whatever it takes". That is such a simple statement but it holds so much power. Whatever it takes tells me that they are willing to be flexible which is something that most school districts are not. I hope that you get the chance to check out these initiatives and that we can work together to get Maryland/Delaware working towards these or similar frameworks.

I also found a link to Preparing Schools and School Systems for the 21st Century . A council of leaders in business, education and other fields was formed last year by the American Association of School Administrators to create a study of preparing schools and schools systems for the 21st Century. "The study points out 16 major characteristics of schools and school systems capable of preparing students for a global knowledge/information age." You can ready all 16 points at the link above but the one that stands out the most to me is "All students have equal opportunity for an outstanding education, with adequate funding, no matter where they live."
This is something that most school systems will agree with but are not work towards. This means money out of their pockets. We all need to have adequate funding for technology and professional development that is going to get our students that outstanding education. These 16 points are something you might want to start thinking about how does these fit into my school/district? What can I do to get us there?

Issue: Framework & Curriculum changes needed to guide us into teaching the 21st Century students.